Multiple Ukrainian and international sources report that Prince has approached several local drone firms with offers to invest or acquire, seeking access to the same UAV technologies that have become critical in Ukraine’s war against Russia.

His latest push comes years after a failed attempt in 2020 to establish a private military hub and weapons factory in Ukraine. This new effort is drawing scrutiny due to the sensitive nature of Ukraine’s drone firms, which are protected by law as strategic national assets — meaning they cannot be sold or controlled by foreign interests without government approval.

Critics warn that Prince’s history with Blackwater — including its involvement in Iraq War controversies — combined with his business dealings in authoritarian regimes, make his intentions questionable at best.

With Ukraine rapidly becoming a global testing ground for modern warfare tech, the battle over who controls its drone sector may soon become as fierce as the war itself.

"The U.S. Embassy Baghdad is no longer a symbol of permanence; it is a case study in adaptation. For those working under contracts tied to Iraq, expect more of the same: episodic drawdowns, rolling security alerts, and a posture built around rapid response rather than routine engagement. The fortress is still there — but it operates under the constant shadow of the next alert."

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Although the ordered departure was lifted in July, the embassy continues to operate under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. Security alerts throughout the summer have warned of possible missile, drone, and rocket attacks in Iraqi airspace. For U.S. citizens and contractors working in Iraq, that means services at the embassy remain limited, with routine visas suspended and only essential consular functions available. It is a leaner presence, designed to operate under threat rather than in stability.

The current posture is a sharp reminder of the embassy’s origins. Built after the 2003 invasion, the New Embassy Compound was conceived as a fortress within Baghdad’s International Zone. Construction began in 2005 and the facility officially opened in 2009, sprawling across 104 acres — a gift of land from the Iraqi government. At a cost of nearly $750 million, it was, and remains, one of the most expensive embassies ever constructed, a monument to America’s intent to stay deeply engaged in Iraq for the long haul.

Today, that massive investment functions more like a secure island than a hub of normal diplomacy. Contractors on the ground see the shift first-hand: restricted movements, heightened alerts, and a constant need for contingency planning. The embassy is open, but far from fully operational in the traditional sense. Instead, it represents a forward operating platform — a heavily defended compound holding the line as militia influence and regional rivalries continue to shape Iraq’s security landscape.